I want to give you all a warm welcome.
When God first gave me this vision, I believe He said “It will be available when it is needed." Many of us cry out to Him for personal needs or the needs of family, friends and especially for our country! Often our prayers don’t include time to be still and listen to His answer or words of comfort and love. Bethel Prayer Retreat is the perfect place for this as we intentionally carve out time to be with our Father in Heaven. Jesus often went alone to solitary places to pray to His Father, and so should we!
- - Erin Bullard, Owner of Bethel Prayer Retreat
Origin of the Retreat
In 2019, Erin Bullard purchased a peaceful, 20-acre wooded property in Glen St. Mary, Florida, just a quarter mile south of I-10 on County Road 125.
The vision for a prayer retreat was birthed after Erin visited The Potter’s Place, a similar retreat center in South Carolina. Inspired by the experience, she began preparing the land to become a sacred space for rest, reflection, and connection with God.
That same summer, an entrance road was constructed, and a path was cleared through the woods. Along the path, nine prayer clearings were created, each with a bench—perfect places to sit and pray throughout most of the year in North Florida’s mild climate.
Volunteers from the Penney Retirement Community handcrafted and installed crosses in each of these prayer spaces, adding a deeply personal and spiritual touch.
In the following year, electricity was brought onto the property, and a well was dug. However, progress paused during the COVID-19 pandemic. Preparation resumed in 2023 with renewed energy and purpose.
A two-bedroom, two-bath cottage was built to serve as the owner’s residence and to host long-term volunteers from out of town. A Welcome Center was also constructed, featuring spacious front and side porches and two restrooms at the rear. Nearby, four cozy 8’x8’ prayer cabins were added, each with a comfortable chair and a large window looking out into the serene woods.
One of the cabins is fully wheelchair accessible. Additionally, the Welcome Center includes two accessible restrooms and a designated handicapped parking space to ensure all visitors feel welcomed and accommodated.
See the pictures below for a brief introduction to Bethel Prayer Retreat.
Hope to see you soon!
